Web Site Logo

This website is made possible, in part, by displaying a few online advertisements to our visitors.
Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker for this site.
[ <- Back to Radio & TV Appearances ]

 
Click to view full image
 

PHILCO RADIO HALL OF FAME, THE - The Happy Prince

Air Date/Released Sunday, December 24, 1944
Station/Studio NBC Blue (radio)
Host/Star Bing Crosby
Featuring Joe DeRita (Solo)

Sponsor Philco's musical variety series, which also featured pieces of comedy and drama. A revolving lineup of guest hosts included Ted Husing, Ronald Colman, Ronald Reagan, Kathryn Grayson, George Murphy, Carole Landis, Judy Garland and many more.

The Christmas Eve episode was hosted by Bing Crosby, who jokes around with orchestra leader Paul Whiteman, sings "Jingle Bells," "Adeste Fidelus" with a prayer for the troops fighting in Europe, and "White Christmas." From Bing's Fall 1944 France USO company, he welcomes Darlene Garner, singer Jeannie Durelle, and Joe DeRita. The future Stooge joins Bing for 5 minutes of comedy banter. Ms. Durelle sings "There Goes That Song Again." The King's Men vocal group perform "Swingin' Down the Road," and are joined by Sally Stewart for a musical rendition of "The Night Before Christmas." Featured guest star Orson Welles also jokes around with Bing, and then gets serious to read the Nativity from the Bible. The Christmas show's special play, narrated by Welles with Crosby, is THE HAPPY PRINCE.


In the Fall of 1944, Bing's USO tour in France included Joe DeRita. They performed in Paris, but also entertained for the troops near the front lines in central France.

Cast: Bing Crosby (Host), Orson Welles, Joe DeRita, Jeannie Durelle, Darlene Garner, The King's Men, Sally Stewart, Jimmy Wallington (Announcer), Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
[ <- Back to Radio & TV Appearances ]




FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We make such material available in an effort to advance awareness and understanding of the issues involved. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information please visit: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission directly from the copyright owner.